Tag Archives: Red Rock

This fall wedding has it all. A gorgeous bride and groom, great fun loving family and friends, and beautiful Sedona as the backdrop made for the perfect wedding day.

Jay and Hilary met each other while attending school at USC. Jay is originally from Phoenix, AZ, and Hilary is from Pasadena, CA.

Together for nearly 6 years, Jay and Hilary live in Playa del Rey, CA with their two cats, Nara and Toro. Jay is a video game sound designer and Hilary is an English teacher.

The day was filled with personal touches from the humorous couple. Jay and Hilary personalized signage with quotes from movies they love. Bar menu: “Now I’m lucky if I can find half an hour in which to get funky” –Homer Simpson

It’s no secret that the Creekside Inn at Sedona is a perfect venue for an enchanting wedding. Tucked away on two acres of woods, lawns and Oak Creek the grounds are covered in a canopy of beautiful Arizona sycamore trees. It was perfect for these two writers and teachers who wanted an intimate easy going and fun day with loved ones. Although both busy professionals, we had a great time in the planning process. We included an afternoon tasting some great craft beers from Sedona that were served to guests. The outcome was a direct reflection of the love for family and friends and each other.

Kati chose a beautiful BHLDN jewel encrusted gown with a small train that pooled perfectly to the floor. It was glamorous with an Old Hollywood appeal.

There were lots of perfect details that made the wedding so personal. A nod to Chads heritage were the Loteria Mexican playing cards framed and used for the tables and as escort cards.

Thanks to a great team of wedding professionals. And a big thanks to Liza Parenti, Kati’s mom who was so hands on and fun to work with. She organized a family basketball game prior to the rehearsal dinner as well as a big family dinner the night before the rehearsal dinner. It was a memorable weekend. Congratulations to all.

Emily and Marcin decided on a small intimate wedding. They did however; want it to be beautiful and special, evoking all the details of their vision for their day. They chose L’Auberge de Sedona as the backdrop for the woodsy, bohemian and free spirited look. Neutral colors and lots of greenery came together with succulents and antlers for this free spirited look. Events by Showstoppers created the beautiful table centerpiece according to Emily’s vision. It was covered in moss, antlers and cream colored floral with lots of greens, gold candlesticks and tapered candles as well as votive candle light creating a dreamy effect on the Creekside table. Miniature faux antler place cardholders with names of the six guests were at each place setting.

Emily wore a sheer black and white Free People gown. Her bridal bouquet picked up the black and white scheme with anemones with black centers and a black handle. Adorable cat and bear cake topper sat atop the cake. Emily and Marcin’s dog, Meeko played a big part in their day and had his own floral collar.

Rain threatened the ceremony but the sun broke through and Margaret Van Damme performed a Native American Blanket ceremony for the couple with native flutes playing in the background. Katrina Wallace and Andrew Mejia of Sedona Bride flawlessly captured the day and all the little details.

If you are tempted to elope and think the wedding might look plain or boring this wedding is just one example of how stunning an intimate wedding can be. Thanks to all the great vendors that added their talent to this beautiful day.

Jennifer and Tim wanted their wedding to be small, intimate, and laid-back. Both love the outdoors and camp, ski and mountain climb. They spent a year living in the Sierras working with a team doing mountain rescue. L’Auberge de Sedona was a perfect venue for this beautiful wedding without defined theme and just the things the couple loves; loving family, great friends, the beauty of nature and lots of love.

The Sedona monsoon season was still hanging on and it rained off and on before the outdoor ceremony. After a sudden downpour, the sun peeked out and the ceremony was held in the most beautiful light. Congratulations Jenn and Tim! Thanks to a great team of Sedona vendors and these stunning photos by Katrina Wallace of Sedona Bride.

This Sedona Wedding was the kind of perfect intimate wedding we love. With just the bride and groom, it was planned with attention to detail and loving selections by the couple. It was truly magical in the sky above the Red Rocks of Sedona in a bright hot air balloon.

Sharon and Chris first met in May 2009, both fish out of water, at a nightclub of all places. Chris had just wandered over after a coworker send-off at a next-door eatery and Sharon had just returned to the U.S. that day after living in Europe for three years. They couldn’t have been farther from where they belonged, but fate had crossed their paths and paved a road for a lifetime.

Chris had been collecting Star Wars toys and film memorabilia since his early college days and both he and Sharon shared a love of the Wizard of Oz film since childhood. Both are avid travelers, Sharon as she climbed the corporate ladder and made inroads around the globe, and Chris chasing down Star Wars toys and movie props from all over the world. It was Chris’ appreciation of film props and the iconic nature of the ruby slippers that made them a coveted keepsake, instantly recognizable by nearly everyone.

When Chris found the courage to finally tie the knot after a lifetime of bachelorhood, his wife-to-be was just as excited to do it in a way that would be truly romantic and memorable. Sharon always had the desire to visit beautiful Sedona and when Chris saw that they could not only go on a balloon ride, but actually get married in a hot air balloon the scene was set! The balloon immediately brought to mind the Wizard of Oz and the chance to procure a pair of ruby slippers for the event was all too perfect. They found an artist that handcrafted exact replicas that Sharon could not only wear for the occasion, but that they could forever have on display in their new home.

Chris found the perfect size heart lapel pin that he was able to turn into a clock and with the aid of a silver-gray suit and tie; his nod to the tin man was complete. Sharon wore a cute white dress that was simple and fun for the occasion and would let the shoes shine in all of their glory. These small touches were just enough to flavor a magical event with a beloved fairy tale and a sunrise wedding high above the red rock desert was going to be as picturesque as one could hope.

From the engagement to the rings to the entire wedding plan and execution, the event was a total secret from everyone they knew. They mailed special Oz/Sedona inspired postcards to friends and family who would receive the news of the elopement the day afterwards and it worked like a charm. Everyone was excited for the couple and the ceremony and weather had been perfect. It was an incredible way to begin a loving life together, filled with adventure and whimsy and, of course, a love of all things nostalgic!

It doesn’t get any prettier than the Sedona wedding of Scott and Casey. It was the perfect combination of rustic, romantic and total elegance.

From their photographer Katrina Wallace: “There are days in Sedona where the light is so amazing and we wish there was a wedding; when the sky goes dark and the sun peaks through and creates especially gorgeous dramatic light. Casey and Scott had just that”

The drop dead gorgeous bride was stunning in her Martina Liana Vintage-inspired corded lace gown and custom-made cathedral veil. Shoes by Jimmy Choo. Her bridesmaids were beautiful in soft pistachio colored chiffon- each styled differently. The groom and his men were all dashing in modern Vera Wang grey suits.

Long bare wood feasting tables were filled with an abundance of lush floral in birch containers, Spanish dried moss, vintage ribbed glass mason jars, lanterns and lots of candlelight. Tiny Potted Succulents, hand wrapped in butcher paper tied with a cord and tagged with guest names served as escort cards and favors.

Casey carefully included so many personal and heartfelt details to her wedding. A brooch that belonged to her Nanny was on her bouquet. Also special to Casey was her wedding band that was handed down to her by her paternal grandmother, her Grammy. Casey’s mom did the hand painted Mr. and Mrs. Signs. All the small touches that make a wedding a memorable affair were in this Sedona wedding filled with love, family and friends. The talented team of Katrina Wallace and Andrew Mejia of Sedona Bride beautifully captures this love story here.

Casey and Scott’s love story in the brides own words:

“No one knows exactly how it happens, no one knows exactly why its true but some people are just meant to find each other and someday, somewhere and somehow they always do. Scott and I met on match.com. I had just moved to Boise, Idaho from Fort Myers, Florida for a job opportunity and most importantly to be near my family. I work in the medical field and have crazy hours, so living in a new town and meeting people became a challenge. Scott living over 1,000 miles away in Scottsdale Arizona, also worked crazy hours and was having no luck meeting that special someone. Scott then broadened his search and that is how we met. I was only on match.com for one day; if that is not fate we don’t know what is. I never thought I would meet my future husband online, but sometimes you have to do something you have never done to have something you never had. I knew Scott would forever be my always. (I have that engraved on the inside of his wedding ring. “You will forever be my always.”) Scott proposed on our one-year anniversary on a private jeep tour on the top of Merry Go Round Rock in Sedona. Sedona has always been a special place for us and that is why we chose to get married there”

We are looking forward to the Sedona Wedding of Casey and Scott in a few weeks. Katrina Wallace of Katrina Wallace Photographers and Sedona Bride Photography recently photographed the engagement session for the couple. Photographed in Sedona’s beautiful Oak Creek Canyon, the engagement session is a great time for a couple to interact with their photographer and each other in a playful way prior to the wedding. As much as I love seeing the beautiful wedding day photos, I always smile at the relaxed playfulness and adoring glances I see from couples at their informal engagement session.

We are very excited that the lovely wedding of Mara and Cole was featured on the Wedding Yentas. You can see the entire event and gorgeous images captured by Tangled Lilac Wedding PhotographyHERE. Thank you Melissa and Kristen from Tangled Lilac and Alison of The Wedding Yentas for the beautiful feature.

I just love this beautiful engagement session of Airica and Chuck in Sedona. The couple will be married this fall at Creekside Inn. We are very excited to be working with Airica and Chuck in the planning of their day. The stunning images are by Sierra Blanco Photography.

Heather and David, San Francisco Bay area residents celebrated their wedding at Sedona Golf Resort this fall. After nine years together, David proposed to Heather at the top of Bear Mountain last year.

Although rain threatened the day, the weather held with enough cloud cover for a beautiful day and lovely images captured by Katrina Wallace and Andrew Mejia of Sedona Bride. Family and friends gathered for a ceremony on the green with Bell Rock as their backdrop. Guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on the patio followed by dinner and dancing.

Heather worked with Margaret of Van Damme Weddings on a classic, elegant décor with Sedona Red Rock feeling. The bride and groom, avid hikers used Sedona trail hikes as their table names. Showstoppers created table floral arrangements in rich fall colors. The beautiful dessert bar co-designed by Van Damme Weddings and Sedona Cake Contour was a taste treat guests enjoyed during the evening. Congratulations Heather and David!

In my years of planning beautiful weddings and
events, I have learned so much from some very
creative brides and vendors and I would like to
pass some of this on to you. If you are thinking
about getting married in this beautiful and
magical place called Sedona, I think you will
enjoy some of my couples’ stories and beautiful
photos. I am also excited to share wedding
trends, new finds, and fabulous vendors. I hope
some of these posts will inspire your creativity
for your wedding celebration.I believe that
beautiful weddings are about the details and
these can be obtained with an eye for beauty
and a style that says, “This is me.” We at Van
Damme Weddings would love to hear from you.
What has inspired you. Send us your favorite
wedding; fabulous décor; shopping find, ideas
for the unusual, large and small.
Email: margaret@vandammeweddings.com